Adrian Lam praises Leigh star who has “started the season on fire”

Drew Darbyshire
Josh Charnley Leigh Leopards SWpix Adrian Lam

Leigh winger Josh Charnley will come up against former club Wigan on Thursday | Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix

Leigh’s in-form winger Josh Charnley bagged a hat-trick to help the Leopards claim their third win of the season with a 24-16 victory at Hull.

The 31-year-old has now scored eight tries in six games so far this season for the newly-promoted Leopards, who have enjoyed a good start to life back in Super League.

Leigh raced into a 16-point lead and held their nerve in the second half to repel a Hull comeback to claim a 24-16 away win.

Speaking after the game, Lam was full of praise for hat-trick hero Charnley, saying: “Josh has started the season off on fire.

“We’ve been moving the ball around a lot and he must be up there at the moment with leading scorers in the competition.”

Lam also paid tribute to his son, half-back Lachlan Lam, who guided the Leopards around the park brilliantly.

The Leigh coach said: “Lachlan’s looked really slick all year.

“We’ve worked hard to get his confidence back and he’s certainly showing that class, but he’s still a long way from his best.”

Adrian Lam “really proud” of Leigh players in Hull win as Josh Charnley bags hat-trick

Lam said he was “really proud” of all of his players after they claimed their third win since their return to the top flight.

He added: “It’s always a tough place to come (Hull) and play but I thought we started the game really well and managed it well. I’m really proud of the group.

“We completed at around 90 per cent in the first half and only made four errors in the whole game which was brilliant and it’s something we’ve worked really hard on.”

The Leopards are now eighth in the Super League table, having won three from six games so far.

Next up for Leigh is the Battle of the Borough clash against neighbours Wigan at the Leigh Sports Village on Thursday night.

Lam added: “It’s a local derby and they (Wigan) are going okay. It’s a Thursday night game and on TV, that’s where we want to be as a club.”

Local band The Lottery Winners will also perform a set before next week’s televised derby at the LSV.

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